Our heartfelt thanks to the many individuals who pray for our work each day, and to the communities who have committed to the monthly 'gather and pray' offering comfort and hope not only to those who attend, but also to the visitors to this website.

The 16th May is a special feast day for the Sons of Divine Providence, in memory of their founder St Luigi Orione who continues inspireing their mission today.We wish them a happy feast day and thank them for their generous support these last nine years in spreading the word of Dementia Prayer Week and the HeARTS and Minds Lesson Plan, and to Father Beale who is currently an associate member.

'gather and pray' events:

Each Thursday 9th May at 6.45 -7.45 pm there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Mount Saint Bernard's Abbey, Coalville

Holy Hour by Candlelight second Thursday of the month at 6.15 pm St Augustine's Catholic Church Solihull ​19th May, Mass will be offered by Fr Stephen Beale, SDP in Cardinal Heenan House, Upholland; united in prayer with the residents, staff and relatives and all who are connected to the charitable work of the Pastoral Care Project.

Care Home Service 19th Coombe Park Care Home, Coventry Sunday 3.00 pm service led by the chaplain Rev Pauline Warner for residents and staff; family and friends.

to take part in 'gather and pray' simply commit to including our work in an existing time of prayer either weekly or monthly. Email us the details and we will post it here and share via twitter and Facebook, this way we spread the word about what your community offers.

I can reveal that visits to the Pastoral Care Project website peaked considerably on Easter Day - you may wonder, WHY?We are a small charity with daily around 60, which is very good, as most are from organisations, but on Easter Day there were 381 visits?

What were they looking for? Rather than reveal the pages here now, I invite you to have a look at the website and consider the pages you think? We would love you to have a go? Please use the contact page, twitter @dementiaaprayer or Facebook, thank you.

Gather and Pray: Continuing with Gather and Pray, this evening Thursday 9th May at 6.45 - 7.45pm there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Mount Saint Bernard's Abbey, Coalville, The community pray every week, not just for our work, but for many people, so do take comfort that you are included.

Continue enjoying the goodness of the Easter season by listening to this beautiful song, 'Yes, I shall arise'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIVmGXNlZP0 For me this hymn sung by Our Lady of the Angels Choir during Holy Communion on Easter Day will remain with me. The memory of parishioners coming forward to me to receive this new life from the Chalice, together with the music and lyrics was 'heaven'.

​Sitting in the office today, enjoying my lunch whilst taking in the view over the meadows, I couldn’t miss the beauty of the spring blossoms close by. A few moments of quiet bliss - how refreshing!Then my eyes were drawn towards the bookcase beside me, and glancing at the books, many have been well read, and some not. However, here was one which seemed to stand out, Answering God’s Call by Thaddeus Doyle C.C .My mind had now moved from the outside beauty to a distant memory of inner beauty, of meeting the author, hearing his personal testimony at the healing Mass. But, that is not what I am about to share.

What I would like to share is now, this moment that I am drawn to pondering not the experience from the mass, which was beautiful, but the question posed by the book title, ‘Answering God’s Call’

How does God call us? Why does He call us? When does He call us?Does God call only some of us?

Back at my desk, beginning to write this months Blog, I realise that the content has already been given to me .

Would you say that it is extraordinary, no so, my way of thinking is that the Holy Spirit is always our advocate , our helper, Romans 8: 26-27

From my experience in pastoral ministry with the very sick, most often with the person struggling with dementia or the person who is said to be “non responsive” each person can still hear God.

It is not for me to know what is happening between the person and the God who comes to them, to take them to his eternal home, what I have experienced is the God's presence.

That is our mission: raising awareness of the spiritual needs and enabling carers... please continue to pray that we may be guided and faithful.

Trustee vacancy:The charity is seeking two Trustees, working closely with the Management Committee and Manager to oversee the charity finance and one to assist with publications, resources and networking.​The trustees currently commit to meet three or four times a year, the AGM and one retreat day, on other occasions or events as they choose.

This year we celebrate twenty five years, the New Dementia family Ministry Prayer Card is just one resource produced by Redemptorist Publications, now we focus on lesson plans, videos and volunteer packs. Further information can be found in the Annual Reports and in the resources pages. ​We would be pleased to hear of your interest via the contact page, twitter @dementiaaprayer or Facebook. or you may prefer to email your CV to francesmolloy@pastoralcareproject.org.uk ​

I am sure many reading this blog are continuing to pray the Dementia family Ministry prayer.​i would like to share this beautiful story, Simplicity by Deacon Kevin O'Connor. It is ideal for reflection or class discussion.

Below are two events which may be near you:

​Tuesday St Annes, Nuneaton Mass at 9.30am

Tuesday 2.00 pm St Benedict's Junior School Atherstone (Holy Spirit MAC) is leading a prayer service, family are invited and they will be offered (Bake & Share) tea and scones afterwards, the proceeds to the Pastoral Care Project.

All donations received during the week of prayer will be used to further develop the HeARTS and Minds Volunteering Programme and the Lesson Plans which are proving to be much sought after by several dioceses.

Dementia Prayer Week may be coming to a close, it is hoped that it has inspired and enriched many people to join in this ongoing ministry of prayer and support for the poor, as so profoundly expressed by Bishop David McGough, "...the poor have many faces, some of whom may have dementia..." Annual Report 17-18.

Our thanks to the many dioceses, and organisations, parishes and schools who have offered specific dates for prayer and supported us, as well as purchasing prayer cards.

We wish to thank Redemptorist Publications for their partnership this year, it truly has been providential - prayer has increased and surely lives have been touched and Gods presence felt , we know our lives have. How has your life been touched? Do let us know!

The monthly 'Gather and Pray' will continue. Do let us know whether you wish to dedicate a regular or begin a prayer time once a month, Adoration, Assembly.

Bishop David McGough will be celebrating his private Mass on Thursday 14th for your intentions and for all those who receive our support or use our resources.Our intentions include the families today, and everyone over the last 25 years who have supported our mission. ​We especially remember the many volunteers from years ago and all that they contributed to this new ministry. We are so grateful to them and pray that they now rest in the peace of the Lord eternally. ​​Our thanks for the partnership with Redemptorist Publications who have produced the beautiful every day Dementia family Prayer Card. https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/dementia-prayer-card-25-pack

St Patrick & St Bridgets, Ballycastle, N.Ireland Thursday 7.00 am Mass will include the Dementia family Ministry prayer which will be said at all the masses every day until 19th March.The parish has purchased prayer cards, supported and prayed for our mission for the last nine years , we really appreciate their generous support in helping this initiative to reach far and wide. Watch live https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-patricks-and-st-brigids-church-ballycastle

First day of Dementia Prayer Week 12th March Today a group of small peoplefor they are toddlers, are having a Yellow Day, with lots of activities. The new Dementia family Ministry prayer card will be presented to the adults.

​This event has become a tradition for the Toddler Group of Our Lady of the Angels Parish Nuneaton. They led the way with the very first prayer box for the parish to place prayer intentions.

Years later, those first toddlers now in school are taking part in different ways through school liturgy and in class. Several of the children know first hand about dementia as their grandparents lives are affected by it. As a charity we were delighted to have worked with the school http://olstjacademy.co.uk/ in developing a Lesson Plan which has been piloted and used in classes with great results.

Our thanks to the teachers, leaders, parents and grandparents for being so generous with their time, prayer and donating to our work.

They and everyone will be remembered by Bishop David McGough when he offer his private mass on Thursday 14th March 2019.

We appreciate very much the longstanding association with Father Stephen Beale, Sons of Divine Providence and Cardinal Heenan House for their generosity in supporting the work of the Pastoral Care Project and promoting it among their networks. Having spoken at their first Day of Prayer many years ago I was deeply touched and inspired by the number of resident and staff who contributed to the day, and the many young people who volunteer with them. The number of young volunteers have increased and benefited from using our HeARTS and Minds Lesson Plan.

​The New Dementia family Ministry Prayer cards will be part of the 'Bishops Together ' event.This year our prayer cards can be purchase direct from .https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/dementia-prayer-card-25-pack

to ​A special thank you to Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David McGough for writing the prayers for this new Dementia family Prayer cardhttps://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/news/dementia-prayer-week-new-prayer-card-launched

We thank you to everyone who has supported and worked with us over the 25 years of the Pastoral Care Project. This prayer card is the perfect way in which everyone can join in and spread the Word.

We invite you to order packs for your parishes, schools or friendship groups, and to take to care homes as well as for the person who lives alone.​The prayer card can be used all year round -one extra to include in your daily prayer time.ordering ​https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/search?search=dementia+prayer​tel:01420 592974

Welcome to this the eleventh year of Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March.Only today a parishioner phoned me to chat. It is several years since her husband went to the Lord, taken by dementia.During the conversation she spoke of the importance of Dementia Prayer week, a time for the church to remember those whom society often forgets, or at least it felt that way for her.On behalf of this lady and every person we thank you, for praying and sending donations for our charitable work.This year there is tremendous year, with great news to share, please do follow the linkhttps://www.rpbooks.co.uk/dementia-prayer-card-25-packand follow the link to our news and resources pagefollow us here and @dementiaaprayerLet us know what event you are hosting or how your are joining in prayer and we will post to our Whats on and Where page.

We would like to ensure that you are kept updated about events, resources and opportunities. Or if you are interested in joining the Pastoral Care Project team, please do send us your details via the contact page.